Class Size on the Rise

By Lisa Thibodeau

Governor Schwarzenegger’s latest proposal to deal with the state’s massive deficit wallops California schools. From preschools to colleges, a whopping total of $6.1 billion dollars will be cut from education, plus $315 million from funds for busing.

Though each district has some flexibility in terms of how they handle the cuts, local schools will likely see class sizes increased, instruction time shortened, programs lost, teachers laid off, and our kids paying the price. But even as they scramble to balance their extremely narrow budgets, local administrators remain optimistic, and they are eager to share how parents can help kids get the most out of their education, even in tough times.

TEACHING SPREAD THIN
Studies indicate that keeping class sizes low, especially in K-3rd and 9th grade classes, helps students reach their fullest potential. With cuts this drastic, however, most local schools are left with little choice but to increase class sizes. Kim Bump, a Sacramento teacher, has seen the consequences first-hand: “The students suffer because they cannot get the individual attention they need, and that includes both higher and lower functioning students.”

Karen Huffines, Principal of Sierra Elementary in Rocklin acknowledges that these cuts are the worst she has seen in her thirteen years in education. Sierra will likely see K-3 student-teacher ratios increase to 24:1, while grades 4-8 are projected to rise to a 32:1 ratio. “When Option C didn’t pass, 107 pink slip notices went out to teachers,” says Huffines. “So far, half have been rescinded. It’s the unknown that has us worried, and we are struggling.” As layoffs continue and California schools ask more of their teachers, it could become increasingly difficult to recruit gifted and motivated teachers, particularly those new to the profession, and particularly at those schools where they are needed most.

Still, Huffines is focused on retaining quality programs for her students. “Our goal is to have the least impact to kids, and we will be maintaining arts programs, foreign language, and even the school garden.” She adds, “I have dirt on my hands now from the garden – the kids love it.”

One Sacramento principal I spoke with hopes to maintain a 20:1 ratio for her school’s Kindergarten classes with help from grants. That same principal (who requested anonymity) recommends parents get involved, too, urging moms and dads to join their school site council or simply ask teachers how they can help.

Susan Miller, Interim Superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District, is working hard to balance her budget while protecting kids. “In light of these cuts, we have tried to stay out of the classroom as much as possible and have made other cuts – to librarians, social workers and counselors. With 40 million dollars cut this year, in addition to the 70 million the previous years, we have left no stone unturned.”

Amid all the bad news and probable K-3 class size increases in her district (up from 20 max to 24 or 25), Miller remains optimistic. “We are maintaining and accelerating the quality of education,” she says, adding that a more diverse group of students are now doing well in school and that more kids are going to college.

POWER OF PARENTS!
Never underestimate the impact of a mom or dad. Parents have begun to take their children’s education into their own hands, supplementing public schooling with additional instruction time at private after-school programs. Other parents are taking the job on themselves.

Molly Dunham, a mother of two who lives in Auburn, joined her neighbor in creating a math and science club for their neighborhood kids (ages 4-11) when he saw less-than-challenging lessons coming home from his children’s school. Their first project involved hatching 1,000 turkey eggs. “We charted how many were hens and how many were toms. At the end we graphed the results on the computer and printed out a bell curve, then discussed probability.” At their second meeting, the group built a geodesic dome out of newspaper. “The kids worked together, rolling up newspaper into tubes, taping the tubes together… it was a blast!”

Susan Miller says parents can help their kids succeed in a number of ways, beginning with keeping kids healthy and well-rested, so they miss fewer school days and get the most out of their time in the classroom. She also encourages families to make reading and school a top priority. “Parents can educate themselves on what’s happening in their kids’ schools… Take them to the library, be active in their homework, and check in frequently with your kids.” Parents’ role will be more important than ever.

Lisa Thibodeau is a local mom and freelance writer. Check out all the fun stuff on her blog, Paper Cup Poet.